At what age do girls' legs grow?

In our deeply tolerant society, where gender lines have become all but blurred and any attempt to 'stereotype' someone is met with social censure, it is already difficult to argue about individual differences between men and women. However, when it comes to the expression of physiological characteristics in people in adolescence, individual approaches depending on gender are unmistakable. In this article we will discuss the process of adolescence, puberty in boys and all the subtleties associated with puberty. We will also answer questions like: 'How many years do boys grow?'; 'At what age do growth spurts occur?'; 'When does puberty begin in boys?'. 'When does body hair appear in boys?

adolescence in girls

The psychology of childhood

The transition period is a time of new discoveries and challenges. Adolescence and maturation of daughters can be difficult and unclear even for their parents - the modern generation is maturing physically earlier and earlier (modern teenage girls menstruate much earlier than their grandmothers and mothers). This leads to irregular cycles, early puberty, and other specific problems. This creates anxiety in mothers and daughters alike, but it can be difficult to talk about sensitive issues. Let's talk about 'Women's Secrets' and try to find answers to frequently asked questions like 'How old is the character of a girl?', 'Why do girls grow up before boys?', 'At what age do girls become to girls?', 'How does the female body change with age?', 'How old is a girl's voice?' and so forth.

When does puberty start?

It is well known that girls mature earlier than boys and that puberty begins earlier. While boys start puberty around the age of twelve to eighteen-nine, girls start it two to three years earlier. The first signs appear at the age of eight or nine, the first changes at the age of ten or twelve. These changes include the growth of the mammary glands, the appearance of the first body hair, including pubic hair in girls, and the onset of menstruation. Most girls physically mature by the age of fifteen or sixteen and figuratively become a woman with obvious sexual signs. After this age, growth slows down, so by this time girls tend to have a shapely figure, with the waist forming, breasts and legs growing more slowly, etc.

Girls with an early sexual debut run the risk of making many mistakes and suffering many unpleasant consequences that can have an unpleasant impact on their later life - improper use of the same contraceptives (on the advice of a friend instead of a doctor) can lead to hormonal disorders . Unwanted pregnancies and miscarriages can lead to other health problems and even infertility. The most important task of the adult in this phase is to explain to the girl that feelings of love, physical changes and sexual desire are not a sign of maturity, but only the effects of hormones. Adulthood is in the head, in the mind, in self-made decisions, in life experience.

What to look out for during puberty

Yesterday you were a baby walking under your feet and responding to the word 'child' and now you are a teenager. How do boys develop? How do you tell a boy about growing up? What should I do? Everything would be fine if it weren't for the changes that greatly affect the boy's appearance and character. This is due to the hormonal processes that take place in the body of a spontaneous male child.

In order to get through this difficult journey as calmly and stress-free as possible, it is worth arming yourself with the necessary knowledge. You will be better able to help your child if you know more about puberty yourself.

Read more about puberty

Puberty is the time of adolescence in boys, when the body undergoes pubertal changes. The development of secondary sexual characteristics in boys and their ability to be fertile (reproduce) are a consequence of these changes.

Puberty in boys usually occurs between between the ages of nine and sixteen.. However, it must not be forgotten that all children are different and that puberty can therefore also occur at different times. Their occurrence depends on a number of factors, such as: B. weight and genetics.

body weight

Many experts believe that an adolescent's body weight can have a major impact on when they reach puberty. This means that the physical changes cannot begin until the child's body has reached the right weight.

Leptin (a hormone produced by fat cells) affects the activity of releasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones - both of which in turn lead to sexual development.

It should be noted that today's adolescents are hitting puberty earlier than at any time in history. This shows the connection with the fact that many of today's children have a problem with being overweight.

Stages of puberty and adolescence in boys

Puberty is not a sudden transition, but a fairly gradual process. The different stages of puberty are defined by the Tanner scale (named after Professor James Tanner, an expert on child development).

Tanner stage 1

The stage when your child has not yet reached puberty. There is no fixed age and most boys do not undergo any major physical changes during this time.

Tanner stage 2

Begins around the age of twelve. However, it is important to remember that all bodies are different, so when everyone enters this stage is different.

During this time, a boy's scrotum becomes thicker and redder. The testicles may increase in size and pubic hair appears at the base of the penis.

Third phase of puberty

The third phase of puberty occurs at an average age of 13 years.

The testicles and penis enlarge, pubic hair becomes harder and increases in the genital area.
If your son is also noticing an increase in breast tissue at this age, you can reassure him. This is normal for his age and in most cases will subside after a few years.
However, another change that worries and confuses teenagers the most is 'wet dreams'. This means that the release of sperm (ejaculation) occurs during sleep. Treat this phenomenon with extreme sensitivity as it is completely beyond the teenager's control.
During this time, the voice also changes, which is also an important process. The child feels that the tone and timbre of the voice change, it becomes deeper and more mature.
A beautiful feature of this stage in a boy's life is physical development. Active growth of the young begins at this stage, but growth spurts can also occur in later stages. During puberty, most boys grow by up to 7-8 centimeters per year. Some boys reach the peak of their growth at this age.

Causes and classification of growth failure in children

Some disorders are associated with endocrine disruption. These may be abnormal somatotropin metabolism, insufficient or excessive production of somatotropin, or altered sensitivity of peripheral receptors to the hormone. Growth hormone metabolism abnormalities can be caused by tumors of the hypothalamic-pituitary region, genetic defects of certain enzymes involved in the formation of somatotropin, etc. Growth failure in children also occurs when there are disorders in the metabolism of other hormones, particularly thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, sex hormones and some central hormones such as ACTH and releasing factors.

Some somatic abnormalities can also be the cause of stunted growth in children. In the first place is a group of skeletal dysplasia and chromosomal diseases associated with growth retardation. Kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal abnormalities are also sometimes associated with stunting. This is usually due to malnutrition (improper nutrition, starvation) or malabsorption. However, the liver is indirectly involved in the growth process of the child, since under the influence of the hormone somatotropin, insulin-like growth factors are produced here, which act directly on the target cells and trigger an anabolic reaction.

There are two basic principles according to which all nosologies are divided into subgroups. The first principle is quantitative, ie growth is either inhibited or prematurely accelerated. The second principle relates to the causes of the abnormality. A distinction is made between growth disorders of endocrine and somatic origin. The latter subgroup clearly predominates in the overall morbidity structure. In addition, some hereditary forms of pathology, e.g. B. the familial stunting, recognized as growth disorders in children.

Symptoms of stunted growth in children

It should be noted that growth retardation is much more common than accelerated growth and development. With an intrauterine growth arrest immediately after birth, the physical development parameters of the child are more or less delayed compared to the norm. More commonly, however, stunted growth can be suspected in children from about 3-4 years of age when it is possible to monitor the course of growth. As a rule, from this moment the delay is noted not only by the pediatrician, but also by the parents of the child. It can be of proportional delay (trunk and limbs are equally delayed compared to the age norm) and disproportionate form (limbs are short or long compared to the trunk).

Chromosomal syndromes in which growth disorders are clinically evident in children also show specific changes in presentation (e.g. Down syndrome or Schereshevsky-Turner syndrome). Additional symptoms are characteristic of all somatic diseases affecting the physical development of the child. In cardiovascular malformations, skin cyanosis and other symptoms are noted, and the abnormalities are confirmed by an ECG. Gastrointestinal abnormalities are accompanied by indigestion, altered bowel movements, bloating, and other symptoms.

When it comes to endocrine disorders, growth abnormalities in children are not the only manifestation. When the changes affect the somatotropic hormone produced by the pituitary gland, growth rates deviate markedly from age norms, in contrast to other diseases where this may not be so obvious. A lack of thyroid hormones, in addition to stunted growth, is manifested by lethargy, low blood pressure and bradycardia characteristic of the child; with an overactive thyroid, the symptoms are opposite, growth is accelerated.

To a certain extent, the sex hormones enhance the physical development of the child. They are involved in the formation of the ossification nuclei and the closure of the growth zones in the bone epiphyses at the end of puberty. Congenital and acquired diseases of the adrenal glands and disorders of sex hormone metabolism inevitably lead to growth disorders in children. In some cases, short stature behavior can be accompanied by severe psycho-emotional stress. In addition, constitutional characteristics also play a role in physical development. In these children, growth retardation is usually familial, more often on the father's side.

Syndromes associated with increased height and rapid growth of the child, children

Syndromes associated with increased height and rapid growth of children, children:

- Genetically conditioned;
– Constitutionally accelerated growth;
- Klinefelter syndrome;
– connective tissue abnormalities;
– Excess growth hormone (pituitary gigantism);
- Sotos syndrome (cerebral gigantism);
- hyperthyroidism;
- Androgen excess (precocious puberty, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen-producing tumor);
- Estrogen excess (early puberty, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, estrogen-producing tumor);
– obesity;
- Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome - macroglossia, hypoglycemia, neonatal macrosomia, visceromegaly;
– homocystinuria – arachnodactyly, mental retardation (electroencephalogram for children – Markushka Polyclinic), homocystine in urine.

The child's life in the first two months: sleep

One of the most important questions for parents is how much sleep your baby should have at one month. Your baby's sleep pattern will change but will not be fully developed until the age of two months. At this age, infants sleep between 15 and 16 hours a night. However, these hours are irregular and the baby is usually not ready to sleep through the night. This is especially true for breastfed babies, who typically wake up to eat about every three hours.

Wait a few more weeks and you can relax a little by helping your baby fall asleep on her own. To do this, put your baby in the cot when he is asleep and not when he is sound asleep. All babies should be put to sleep on their backs. The baby can spend enough time on the stomach when awake and supervised. Also, all soft objects should be removed from the crib, including pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and soft sides.

Standards for a baby at 2 months old: communication

By the age of two months, most of your baby's communication will be crying. However, you can also hear gurgles, coos, and even a sweet cooing sound. Your baby should recognize and respond to your face and voice. You might even see the first magical hint of a smile.

One of the most important things you can do at this age is talk to your baby. Although two-month-old babies may not be able to react yet, they do respond to the sound of your voice and this will encourage them to form their first words of their own in the months to come.

Puberty in boys - first ejaculation

The first ejaculation or ejaculation occurs around the age of 13, usually a year after the rapid development of the penis. For a time, the semen contains a small number of viable sperm.

It should be noted that spermaria in young men is not comparable to menarche in girls. Sperm is thought to be as important to boys as menarche is to girls, but very little is known about the importance of this event to boys or how boys respond to semen.

Although most young men are unprepared for this event, it doesn't seem to scare, cause stress or discomfort to them. Still, young men are reluctant to tell their parents or friends about their first experience.

The normal age range of pubertal changes is such that one in two boys of the same chronological age will have gone through all the changes described, while the other has not even started.

Precocious Puberty in Adolescents - Symptoms and Characteristics

Precocious puberty is more common in girls than boys. However, it is possible that some male adolescents may hit puberty earlier due to the interaction of environment and genes. When young men suddenly gain height, weight, and muscle mass at a younger age, it is most likely precocious puberty.

They are perceived by adults and their peers as independent, confident, and physically attractive. Therefore, they are very popular among their peers. In addition, enlargement of the testicles and penis and general physical growth can be observed in boys under the age of nine.

Associated with precocious puberty, adolescents may also develop warts, and hair may grow on their arms, legs, and genitals. All of these phenomena bring about various mental and emotional changes. Parents and children therefore face numerous problems.

Boys who mature prematurely are more likely to become sexually active earlier. Adults expect them to be more mature and responsible. Sometimes this can lead to conflict and inappropriate behavior. In addition, early puberty in young men is associated with adjustment problems later in life.

Symptoms of puberty in boys

Due to the active production of testosterone approx. at the age of 9 years, boys begin boys start with puberty. The first symptom is the enlargement of the testicles in the scrotum. This is followed by the appearance of pubic and armpit hair around the age of 10-11 years. At the age of 12-13, the male genitalia first increase in length and then in thickness.

– Concerned parents often ask in the doctor's office whether the boy's 'pants' are okay or whether his penis is a normal size. It is important to understand that he does not increase in size at the beginning of puberty, but in the middle of the process. And the main thing for the boy as a future man is not the size of the penis, but the size of the testicles. This is where the 'most important' male hormone, testosterone, is produced. Parents should pay attention to this.

the norm of puberty in boys is as follows: first – testicular enlargement, then – active hair growth and penis enlargement. If the order is different, then parents need to see a pediatric endocrinologist. The doctor will determine whether it is a normal or pathological development.

– Special attention should be paid to this. First ejaculation – The involuntary ejaculation, which most often occurs at night between the ages of 13 and 15. It is a normal phenomenon and one of the manifestations of puberty. Parents should not worry about this. However, you should prepare the child for these changes in his body so that he notices them earlier.

By the age of 13-15, the beginnings of a mustache and beard appear in boys. These are tiny hairs that look more like fluff. It is not until the age of 16 or 20 that they become firmer and grow into a male beard.

In addition to the strong hair growth and changes in the genital area, teenagers between 13 and 15 years also experience accelerated growth: Young start out at a growth rate of 8 to 12 cm per year. After three to four years, the pace of growth slows down.

Secondary sex characteristics also appear: changes in the laryngeal cartilage and 'voice breaks', an increase in shoulder width. This is influenced by the main male hormone, testosterone, which is produced in the boys' testicles.

Symptoms of puberty in girls

Through the active production of female sex hormones (oestrogen) from approx. 8 years old, puberty begins puberty begins. Usually, the mammary glands grow first, followed by active hair growth in the armpits and pubic area.

– If parents notice that a girl's mammary glands are not growing, but there is pubic and armpit hair, they should consult a doctor. This may be due to increased production of androgens (male hormones).

Around Girls usually start menstrual bleeding around the age of 11 to 13.. This is usually preceded by a light, non-bloody discharge and may be accompanied by abdominal pain.

– The length of the first period can vary from 3 to 7 days, and menstruation lasts from 21 to 40 days. It is important to know that the menstrual cycle in girls does not start immediately. After the first period, there may be irregularities for 2-3 years. This is normal operation. However, if it has been more than 3 months since your first period and you still don't have a period, you should see a gynecologist or endocrinologist.

The frequency and painfulness of menstruation depends on various factors: diet, diseases, heredity. You should discuss these individually with your doctor.

In parallel, secondary sexual characteristics appear in girls: an enlargement of the pelvis and a redistribution of subcutaneous fat in a female pattern (fat deposits on the buttocks and thighs). It is important to enlighten the girl about this so that she is not shocked at how her figure is changing.

– However, it is important that that she watches her diet., Because during this time, the appetite of teenage girls increases', warns the health expert. – If a girl starts eating a lot of carbohydrate foods, she can gain too much weight, which can lead to complexes and health problems.

body weight

The characteristics of this indicator are:

1. Sensitive and unstable. The child's body weight can also change throughout the day under various conditions. Due to its dependence on changes in diet, environmental conditions and the well-being of the child, it can be used to assess the current state of the body.
2. The newborn is characterized by a physiological weight loss that must also be taken into account. In the first few days after birth, the baby excretes feces that have accumulated in the uterus - meconium. Small weight loss is also due to evaporation of fluid through the skin and drying of the umbilical cord. The total weight loss of an infant can be as much as 6-8 %. Birth weight only returns to normal after 10 days.

How to measure correctly

It is advisable to use an electronic scale that can record the weight of the baby moving its arms and legs. Remember to consider the weight of the diaper you are putting the baby. And please don't weigh your baby more than once a week! Your baby will gain weight unevenly from time to time. And if the weight changes noticeably, remember to choose a new diaper size. The Huggies® Elite Soft Size Chart will help you find the right size for your baby. It offers soft and comfortable nappies from birth, with a new super soft SoftAbsorb layer that absorbs liquid stool and moisture in seconds.

For the little ones, Elite Soft is as gentle as a mother's touch. From 5 kg and up, Elite Soft for babies from 3 months. And for boys and girls 7kg and up, Huggies® panties are comfortable and stretchy, giving your little one real freedom of movement and a sense of security. They also have the advantage that they can be pulled over the legs just as easily as real pants. And on top of that, thanks to special fasteners on the sides, they can be taken off in seconds.

Height to weight ratio

This ratio is used to assess the individual development of the child. The other centile table shows the ratio of weight to height independent of the age of the child. This chart is the perfect opportunity to 'rehabilitate' all the 'little girls' and 'giants'.

Let me explain: every child has a different growth rate: slow, medium, fast. In paediatrics, this general assessment of a child's growth rate is called the 'somatotype': micro, meso and macro indicators. Accordingly, the height and weight of a child with a slow growth ('microsomatotype') are in the corridor of 0-3-10 %. The weight and height of a child with a 'macrosomatotype' are in the corridor 90-97-100 %.

However, if you compare the dimensions of these children with the table of centiles of the ratio of height to weight, then a fairly harmonious development of the child is revealed: the weight corresponds to the height (corridor 25-50-75 %).

The child begins to walk on tiptoe

Often parents are concerned that the child will start walking on tiptoe while active, moving quickly and using both legs equally. If it is a child who is less than two years old and has no complaints other than that, you should not worry. This is a completely normal phenomenon. Children learn new skills and movements, including walking on their toes. You should be concerned if there is serious difficulty walking, foot deformity, or other ailments. If your child can stand on all legs but prefers this type of walking, you should wait until your child learns to walk normally.

It is important not to push or force the child to learn new skills. If the child is able to actively crawl and stand on a support while holding on to furniture, you can already estimate how long it will be before the child begins to walk. Four to six weeks before learning to stand and walk, the child will try to let go of their hands, stand up, and then take a step. The child should only be stimulated, encouraged to take independent steps, and praised for his attempts at walking.

It makes sense to practice regularly, barefoot if possible. The child should be supported by the hands or under the arms so that he is resting and taking steps on his feet, the whole foot. No matter how comfortable and soft your first shoes are, a baby can only experience the mechanics of movement barefoot.

It needs adequate space and a comfortable setup to be able to walk with assistance and later independently. Infants quickly learn to change their environment. If they can move with assistance to reach their goal, they don't have to let go of their hands and take steps. In addition, the unfortunate experiences of walking, falls and even the reactions of those around you also play a role. So create a comfortable, relaxed and safe walking space to save your child from injury and anxiety.

The development of walking skills

The age at which your baby begins to walk independently depends in large part on learning previous skills. Your baby needs to practice crawling and walking. If he dares, the next stage begins by stepping on the parents' hands with at least one hand support.

Only then do the first clumsy and timid independent steps follow. It is still difficult to change the running speed, to assess the body's abilities, so that shaky steps and bold, fast movements can occur. Children still tire easily when walking, so they should be patient and not overwhelm themselves while learning this difficult new mode of locomotion.

List of Sources.

• 1 Semenova TA The role of physical activity in the development of preschool children // Proceedings of the Annual International Scientific-Practical Conference 'Early Childhood Care and Education'. 2014. №2.
• 2. Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep for children under 5 years of age ISBN 978-92-4-000007-0 © World Health Organization, 2019.
• 3 Turovskaya Natalia Grigoryevna, Kurushina OV, Delaryu VV. Neurological and psychological assessment of child development in the first year of life // VolGMU Bulletin. 2015. No. 4 (56).
• 4 The modern child: what is it like? Materials of the All-Russian scientific-pedagogical forum / co: С. V. Porter, L. Yu. Manekina, SV Machinskaya, TV Abramova, LV Kornilova. – Chelyabinsk : MBU DPO UMC, 2018.

• Girls feet 13 years old.
• How a child's feet grow at the age of one.
• A child begins to have clubfoot between the ages of 1 and 5.
• Legs in adolescent boys.
• Why girls tiptoe.
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• Growth zones of the foot bones.